Toshiba has been building solid laptop computers for thirty years. The question about the new P55T-B5262 models is whether they’ll be worthy of the Toshiba Satellite name. One thing that name implies is longevity, and it’s too soon to tell whether the P55T-B5262 will be as durable as older generations of Satellites. For now, here’s a review of what people are saying about using their shiny new P55T-B5262’s.

Specifications

Weight: 5.6 pounds

Processor: 4th Gen Intel Core i7-4510U Processor 2.0GHz

Display Size: 15.6 inch

RAM: 12 GB SDRAM DDR3L 1600 MHz (not subject to upgrades by user)

OS: Windows 8.1

Graphics: Intel HD

Features

* Graphics: 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon™ R9 M265X

* Graphics Card: Ram Size 2048 MB

* 1.0TB (5400 RPM, Serial ATA)

* Blu-ray Disc™ Rewriteable (BD-RE) and DVD SuperMulti drive

* Maximum Screen Resolution 3840×2160 pixels

* Hard Drive 1000 GB SATA
* Wireless Type 802.11bgn

* Number of USB 3.0 Ports 4

* Battery Type: Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)

* Average Battery Life (in hours) 3 hours

* Webcam: Yes

* Color: Aluminium (“silver”), Gold

If you like Windows 8…

The P55T-B5262’s tested come with Windows 8.1. If you prefer a less obtrusive App Store, “cloud” storage for everything, and a default to voice-activated operation, you can upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge.

That’s Hollywood movie quality pictures…as long as you keep your hands off the screen. But you won’t, because so many Windows 8 features involve touching the screen. If you’re so conditioned to avoid leaving fingerprints on the screen that you’ve been restarting Windows 8 any time a touch screen graphic popped up, this personal luxury computer will spoil all those years of good manners. You’ll spend a lot of time either cleaning the screen, looking at gorgeous pictures through fingerprints, or restarting your laptop.

Since when was the Toshiba Satellite a budget computer? It’s meant to be a luxury computer, and if it does perform up to older Toshiba Satellites’ standards, the $1499 price tag will be reasonable. At least, if Hollywood movie quality pictures, touch screens, cloud storage only, company-forced upgrades only, and Cortana the Voice-Activated Virtual Secretary are features you want in a laptop.

Cortana

Microsoft’s virtual secretary became the default for Windows 10 because many users find “her” lovable. If you work on a computer all day and rely on it for entertainment after work, there’s a lot to be said for being able to use the computer while resting your tired eyes. Cortana, like Siri, was made for blind people and may keep other people from going blind.

However, Cortana is not always discreet and can be hard to shut up. If you don’t decide to disable Cortana permanently, be sure to teach “her” to address you as something like “Owner,” because, if you give her your real name, nickname, or screen name, she’s likely to blurt it out in public. She may blurt out information about what you’re doing, too.

What people love (besides the pictures)

* Easy to use. “Instructions couldn’t have been more user-friendly.”

* A real mouse, sold separately, is easy to plug in. “It didn’t even go through the ‘found new hardware’ thing…mouse was working within two seconds.”

* Sound: Lifelike, and “so loud my wife screams from the other room.”

* Backlit keyboard. You can see the keys while typing in the dark.

* “Windows 10 has been the most fun to make my own and play with,” says a Walmart.com shopper who identifies as “senior.” I’d be happier, reading his review, if he hadn’t mentioned “doing the checkbook and paying bills.” Bank information is not something you want to store in the cloud, especially “in retirement.”

Mixed reviews

The Toshiba Satellite Radius P55T-B5262 gets mixed reviews on several points. For a majority of users, either these features work as well as expected, or they exceed expectations. Considering how few user reviews are available for this product, the company seems to have shipped a lot of “lemons.”

* WiFi issues. The worst rating I found for this product was at C/NET, where the one user reported that the company offered to try to fix his WiFi, online, for an extra $70. Not surprisingly, that’s the only user review at C/NET. Amazon and Walmart shoppers who reported WiFi issues don’t mention any extra fee for repairs or improvements, so it could be that the C/NET customer lives in a WiFi trouble zone.

* Touchpad issues. Several users say their touchpads are excellent; some say theirs aren’t very good.

* Connectivity issues. The P55T-B5262 is designed to connect with phones, printers, cameras, etc., up to four at a time, and most users say whatever they’ve connected so far works well. Some don’t.

* Touch screen issues. Some people just don’t like touch screens, some say their touch screens work well, and some say theirs don’t work.

What you won’t love

* Expected battery life of three hours. Your mileage may vary and, while one user reported up to four hours between charges, most reported less than two…sounds like the 1980’s. Not only has there been no improvement in battery life, there’s been a downgrade–the P55T-B5262 isn’t even designed for quick replacements, even assuming you’re willing (or able) to carry around three or four extra batteries in order to use your laptop on the road. And the battery still seems to heat up fast.

* No provisions for upgrading or adding memory. If this model serves as well as earlier Toshiba Satellites did, you will eventually regret that. A good laptop becomes part of your life: you might want to upgrade it; you don’t want to lose it.

* Guarantees don’t last long enough or cover enough for this kind of price, and by now we already know that Toshiba does not support its laptops for as long as the laptops could easily last.

Conclusions

If you get one of the good ones, the Toshiba Satellite Radius P55T-B5262 should deliver enough of what you’re paying for to justify its price. “Lemons” seem to be numerous but can be exchanged.

It appears that engineers at Microsoft may have understood the reviews for its previous products, as the Surface Pro 3 addresses many past customer issues. This tablet has many improvements, and most customers have expressed their approval, despite a few drawbacks. There is also buzz about this tablet actually replacing the traditional laptop in the near future. This assertion may be hype, as this tablet does not have all the features that would make it a great buy for people seeking a fully functioning laptop. For many others, the Surface Pro 3 is an exciting next-generation device that is thin, lightweight, and has many features needed for work as well as entertainment. There is a breakdown of price and review details at [http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/microsoft-surface-pro-3-1249750/review].

Surface Pro 3 Features and Benefits

The initial noticeable features about the Surface Pro 3 are its external dimensions. At about a third of an inch, it is very portable in almost any bag or briefcase. Microsoft also decided to improve the display of the Surface Pro 3 with an expanded 12-inch screen. This increase in length and width is one design feature that makes it so thin, as its electronic components are now spread out over a larger plane rather than stacked, as in the previous generations.
The larger screen allows for a much better viewing experience over the 10.6-inch display of its predecessors. This amounts to a pixel increase from 1920 x 1080 to 2160 x 1440, allowing for better graphics and a more useful device. Microsoft also redesigned the Surface Pro 3 to be more rectangular with an aspect ratio of 3:2 where the previous versions had a 16:9 design. This ratio makes it feel more like working on a standard notepad when using it in portrait mode. Additionally, the Surface Pro 3 may actually be able to display more content than the MacBook Air, which has a 13.3-inch display and a 16:10 aspect ratio.
At 1.8 pounds, the Surface Pro 3 is very light for its size, and that greatly adds to its intended portability. Its weight and dimensions make it a wonderful device for businesses that are constantly mobile as well as professionals who process and print forms while on the road. Where a laptop would be cumbersome, such behind the wheel of a delivery truck, the Surface Pro 3 would fit right in while meeting the needs of nearly anybody on the go.
The Surface Pro 3 includes an improved stylus that has been designed to feel like a traditional writing pen. One click on the top button and the tablet will activate with One Note loaded. The drag while writing or drawing is very similar to pen and paper, which is a significant improvement over the slick feel of many other tablets. Additionally, the Surface Pro 3 has a palm rejection feature that ignores a hand resting on the screen while writing.
While watching videos or listening to music, most tablets do not produce great sound because the audio ports are located behind the device. However, the Surface Pro 3 has addressed this issue by relocating them to the bezel, thereby sending speaker output toward the user. The audio ports do not appear to take space away from the display or add to the device’s length in any significant way, which is nothing short of brilliant.
Microsoft offers a new keyboard with many improvements over previous versions. The keys have a deeper travel with a better response, and it also has a redesigned touchpad that clicks when it is pressed. A new feature is a magnetic strip that allows the keyboard to attach to the tablet’s bezel in a way that angles the typing surface in a similar fashion to a laptop. It is somewhat perplexing to many users that Microsoft made the decision to not include this needed tool with the Surface Pro 3. Look up this site for a detailed review of the Surface Pro 3 and its keyboard. [http://www.engadget.com/2014/05/23/surface-pro-3-review/]

Review Highlights

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is a great device, with a bright screen, a thin profile, large display, and an improved keyboard, but it is not the laptop replacement that the tech giant claims it to be. Many users have expressed praise for its versatility, portability, and power as compared to their previous devices. A few customers have commented that it has fallen short of their requirements, as they were hoping for a full sized laptop in a small case. The Surface Pro 3 has gotten great reviews, but many customers have also expressed the wish that they were offered at a lower purchase price.

Introduction

The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro has all the brilliant functionalities of all hybrid yoga laptops and more. In fact, this laptop can be used in various ways including stand, tent, laptop or a tablet. The Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro Review demonstrates how this unit stands out from it previous predecessor, the Yoga 2.Furthermore, this Yoga laptop has an ultra-chic exterior design and touch screen display that can allow the screen to flip around 360 degrees. The laptop offers even more versatility in that it enables you to enjoy a stellar touch screen experience- and even lay the laptop flat at 180 degrees angle. And at an average weight of just 2,8 lbs and 0.5 inches thin, this laptop comes with a powerful Intel Core processor along with an outstanding super high-resolution QHD Plus(3200 X 1800).

Key Features

Intel Core M 5Y70 Broadwell Processor (2.60 GHz Turbo, 1.10GHz Base 1600MHz 4MB)- this state of the art Dual-core four way Central Processing Unit offers ultrafast performance on the go. And with the addition of the Intel Turbo Boost Technology, this Yoga laptop will deliver added dynamic power when you need it the most. What’s more, the unique Intel Core M Processor will provide enhanced battery lifetime without compromising on performance. This Core M processor is especially ideal for those who want to runs tasks concurrently thus helping them to increase their productivity.
13.3″ QHD+ LED Glossy Multi-touch with integrated camera (3200×1800)- discover the brilliance of the 3200 x 1800 resolution screen that delivers supreme clarity and detailed images. More so the 10-point multi-touch display provides brilliant graphics while in-plane switching (IPS) technology guarantees that the pictures will be flawless across a variety of viewing angles. The Intel HD Graphics 5500 GPU is more than capable of handling basic tasks and will only falter when pushed to the ultimate limits.
8.0GB DDR3L SDRAM and 256GB Solid State Drive- the hefty and high-bandwidth RAM for advanced multitasking can smoothly run most games and easily handle video and photo editing applications. In other words, you will rarely have to worry about the machine deadlocking on multiple programs or several browser tabs at once. Additionally the 256 GB Solid State Drive will handle store a multitude of media files and documents safely. What’s is remarkable is that a Solid State Drive features no moving parts, thus resulting in enhanced start-up times and data access, along with reduced heat and noise and controlled battery use.
360° flip-and-fold design-One benevolent addition is the ability of the PC To detect when the PC switches modes and recommends settings and apps for each position. Furthermore, the YOGA Notebook can be placed with ergonomic keyboard placed flat at 180 degrees across the desk. Moreover, you can watch clips in the tent formation for supreme visibility. The laptop can achieve myriad forms of gymnastic positions thanks to a patented flip design with a 360-degree dual hinge. The touchpad and the keyboard are de-activates when the display is flipped over above 180 degrees to avoid accidental keystrokes.
Bluetooth 4.0 and Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 Wi-fi- sharing media never got easier than with Bluetooth 4.0 technology. In other words, users can be able to transfer music, photos and other media between the Yoga PC and compatible devices. The inbuilt high-speed wireless LAN allows you to connect to hotspots and networks on the prevalent Wi-Fi standards. Additionally, the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC is known to have up to 2 times more speed capability than the conventional 802.11 standards. Such a kind of brilliant connectivity qualifies the PC as a towering dinosaur in the realms of cable cutting and internet gaming worlds.

Pros

Cons

The unit Lacks a CD drive

There is no number pad. Function keys have to be accessed via Fn+top row numbers

Conclusion

Overall, taken together, this Hybrid Pc offers brilliant performance without compromising on battery power. The main highlight of this Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro Review is the myriad forms of gymnastic positions that enhance usability in any setting. The manufacturers do well to add in benevolent additions such as the auto adjusting keyboard ability that prevents unintended keystrokes.

Chromebooks have changed the laptop landscape and Google’s entry into the market has definitely shaken things up for the better. There is now much more variety for consumers, but how does the Chromebook really stack up in comparison to the rest? The CTL Chromebook J2 is one of the company’s newest models, and they have attempted to offer the public a budget option. However, while a cheaper product is attractive, it doesn’t ensure it will be a great laptop. This CTL Chromebook J2 review should help to assess the pros and cons of the model, by analysing both the specifications and the aesthetics.

When assessing this model, it is important to remember that a Chromebook is not like a normal laptop – or even a typical netbook for that matter. The built-in hardware may pale in comparison to its opponents, but Google performs in ways which the others do not. The storage is a key example of this. With an offline storage of only 16GB, memory appears to be severely restricted. However, when you purchase the CTL Chromebook J2, you immediately receive a free two-year subscription to Google Drive, where you can store a further 100GB of files. The Google Drive subscription alone would cost a customer without a Chromebook around $50 for two years.

Therefore, to make the most of the device you need to have access to the internet 24/7. Without one, the Chromebook is slightly useless, however, providing you do there are plenty of benefits. The Google Chrome operating system is fresh and easy to navigate, and a nice change from Microsoft and Apple. Handily, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Presentations all come installed on the Chromebook as a free extra which makes it suitable for those after a computer for work. These programs are similar to their Microsoft equivalents and all files can be backed up on the Google Drive cloud, which gives you peace of mind over your important documents.

The CTL Chromebook J2 can boot in just eight seconds, which isn’t quite as quick as some laptops around but still rapid in the grander scheme of things. For its size and inexpensive price, this Chromebook is relatively quick and has a Rockchip processor along with 2GB of RAM (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2488833,00.asp). It doesn’t have the power of other devices, but for the type of operations you would likely use, the computer is more than capable. Multiple tabs can be opened and, unlike with many netbooks, the CTL Chromebook J2 can handle it without grinding to a halt.

This is a neat little product and as with all netbooks, perfect for people always on the go. With an 11.6 inch screen, the Chromebook is both big enough to use like a normal laptop, while small enough to fit in a bag without trouble. The screen has a 1366×768 resolution which is not full HD, but should still play videos in good quality. There is also a webcam situated in the centre of the upper frame.

Aesthetically, the model looks pretty standard, but is far from ugly. The compact design gives it a distinct, neat style. The keyboard layout is also suitable for quick typing while the touchpad responds well and is not oversensitive.

For what it is, the CTL Chromebook J2 delivers. It is not a fully-fledged laptop due to its heavy reliance on the cloud, and you will need permanent access to the internet to get full use out of it. That said, this is still an ideal model for students who are looking for something more than a basic netbook. It’s quick and the pre-installation of a word processor, as well as programs for spreadsheets and presentations at no extra cost is a great bonus. The small device packs a punch when it comes to power too, and outshines some of its rivals. At around $200, the CTL Chromebook J2 is good value, and an option worth considering.

Choices, choices…
Looking for a laptop today is more than confusing as there are some incredible computers available with a variety of fun features such as touch screens, 2-in-1 tablets and net books. If light and thin are on your wish list, the ASUS Zenbook (http://www.asus.com/US/) is a great choice, but if you want the experience of a touch screen you will need to look elsewhere. It is mid-range as far as cost is concerned at under $700. For similar models, you can spend up to $1349 for the Dell XPS, for example.

Measuring up

The ASUS Zenboox (http://www.amazon.com/Zenbook-UX305FA-Laptop-Intel-Greyish/dp/B00SGS7ZH4) available at Amazon for $699.99 is an impressive model as it is an extremely thin, light and attractive, with an aluminum body, laptop. It measures 12.8 inches X 8.9 inches. Overall there are many positives to this new computer, such as it’s less that 1/2 inch in thickness and just about two-and-a-half pounds in weight. It has been ranked four and a half stars on Amazon and three and a half on PC Mag (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2480750,00.asp) and it has left many customers pleasantly surprised.

USB availability

There are many USB ports along the sides even though it is a thinner model, which is wonderful for charging cell phones and the like. There are ports available for a microphone and headphones as well as output for visual and audio needs.

Battery life

Compared to a similar product, the Mac Book Air (128 GB) the Zenbook has twice the amount of storage (256GB) available for your files and apps. It is 8G in speed and the power allows for most professional and casual gaming necessities. The battery life is approximately 10 hours, which is another great feature for out of office events and meetings as well as for flexibility and convenience. A similar model, such as the Lenovo Yoga which is over $1199 with less power. This is yet another example of how the machine measures up.

Software

There are many installations included in the set up, most importantly Windows 8.1, a 30-day membership of Microsoft Office 365 and Netflix. There are literally hundreds of downloadable apps to personalize the laptop. Some of them you may not need and they are easy enough to remove.

Viewing

The display is an amazing HD 1920 X 1080 resolution. It has a matte finish for anti-glare visuals and is equipped with an IPS (In-Plane Switching) panel that allows for excellent color and a 170 degree viewing angle. The downfall with the matte finish is the loss of intensity in some of the darker colors. The streaming capabilities are excellent for presentations and HD movies.

Security

As far as security options are concerned the Zenbook has a built-in case lock as well as Intel-Anti Theft technology and Lo-Jack capabilities.There is a one-year warranty that ASUS offers for accidents such as a drop or spill.

Audio

The speaker system (Bang and Olufson) has been given mixed opinions due to some buzzing at high volumes since they are installed on the bottom side. The machine itself is completely silent and does not have a fan system. ASUS AudioWizard has some great features that allow for a wonderful musical experience.

Keyboard

It is a comfortable keyboard as you type away on the smaller keys and the touch pad measures 4.1 inches X 2.9 inches. The drawback is the lack of a back light if you need to work in a darker environment.

Video capabilities

The ability to video chat is exceptional and has a 1.2 megapixel HD camera. There is a low light sensitivity aspect that allows for a great viewing experience. Most standard cameras are 15 fps (frames per second) but the Zenbook has double that capability at 30 fps.
So there you have it. It is a great deal and a smart choice for $699 and measures up easily against similar as well as more expensive models. There are many more pros than cons depending on your taste and needs as it is a powerful machine, with great storage and speed capabilities. The security perks and battery life are a couple of the aspects that stand out. ASUS is a leading technology company and has some great offerings with regards to netbooks, notebooks, motherboards and laptops. They have a great customer support service center which is available 24/7 for questions and concerns.

The graphics performance needs of a laptop gamer far exceed those of the casual laptop user, and the rig they choose to game with needs to reflect this criteria. Gaming laptops are centered around massive amounts of memory and video card performance, heavy cooling needs, multiple large-storage capacity, professional processors and sleek design. The average buyer needs to be careful to know when it’s reasonable to cut costs and where it’s worth it to shell out the extra cash for the performance they need to have fun playing remotely. Asus’s new 17.3 ROG G751JY-DH71 uses Nvidia’s Maxwell 900 series GPU to help boost its performance in the right direction without sacrificing display or design quality. Tech Radar states “Although it’s a big, expensive laptop, and not even the top performer in this category, it is still a great machine to use….if you intend on spending hours gaming, the G751 as a replacement for a desktop is best appreciated with it’s low fan noise and comfortable keyboard.” [http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/asus-rog-g751jy-1289736/review/3]

Portability and Performance

Weighing less than 10 pounds , the G751JY isn’t small, but it’s not as big as Alienware’s comparable laptops. With a matte finish, the G751JY’s 17.3-inch 1080p display has exceptional brightness. The factory audio does sounded hollow compared to desktop speakers, which is the norm for laptops. This is unquestionably a laptop for gaming and not just checking your social media with. With the Asus and ROG (Republic Of Gamers) logos in clear view and a large frame, this unit boast a bolder and yet more utilitarian design. It’s five times as large as a MacBook, with a thickness of 0.8-inches near the front edge, and up to two inches at the back where the battery swells. This extra battery and processing weight does however translate to processing and performance power.
It is more gamer-friendly than most laptops, with a keyboard that rivals even dedicated mechanical ones. The key and number pads provide springy, firm response and the red backlighting makes it look more elegant and futuristic. It also comes with a large 4.7 x 2.5-inch touchpad with ASUS’ Smart Gesture touchpad technology. This enables multi-touch gestures such as pinch-zoom, two-finger rotate and three-finger flick. It also stayed cool during this review, even during gameplay-only reaching just 75 degrees with the aid of whisper quiet fans.
The G751 also comes with 4 USB 3.0 ports, a Blu-ray writer, a 3-in-1 card reader, secure lock slots, HDMI connectivity, a Thunderbolt port , Ethernet, and VGA as well as input ports for Audio-on, headphones, a mic and A/C. It has a 2.5-GHz Intel Core i7-4710HQ processor with 24GB of RAM which means it has all the workload power of a medium-priced desktop PC. It’s basically a beast in terms of the portable market. This unfortunately accounts for weak battery life. Asus’s latest only lasted 3 hours and 36 minutes with continuous Web browsing over Wi-Fi (at 100 nits of brightness), which is well below the average of 4 to 4 1/2 hours in most laptops

Graphics and Games Performance

This review model did, however, come with the latest graphics card from Nvidia and the G751J ships with Nvidia’s new 900 series Maxwell GPU. Outfitted with the company’s GeForce GTX 980M GPU with 4GB of RAM, this laptop performed at 60 fps on Ultra settings steadily with little lag or interruptions. At maximum settings, the G751JY’s frame rate drop to 37 fps, beating the 22 fps average and higher than most models at 34 to 28 fps. It also makes it easier to stream online and onto to mobile devices with ShadowPlay (that lets you record and instantly broadcast game video footage to Twitch.Tv) and Shield Mobile and Shield Tablet for streaming games via a mobile device. Coming with easy-to-use broadcast buttons, remote streaming has been simplified for laptop gamers with how easy apps like ShadowPlay make this functionality possible.
The reality is that for those who want to play games remotely will have to spend additional finances to maintain top-level performance. At $1500 to start, this may be too high a price for some gamers to spend. The price only increases with better graphics cards, more memory, customized case designs and more processors. But for those who want to spend the money on a mid-range to premium grade of gaming laptops or plan on requiring such a machine for competitive or professional gaming, the dependability Asus’s G752Jy provides should make it a go-to machine for those exploring gaming laptops.

The Dell XPS 13 (2015) is the second model in Dell’s XPS 13 line, and the ultrabook is one of their biggest releases in 2015. With a revamped and smart new borderless design, Dell has clearly set out to produce one of the sleekest and classiest laptops on the market. Aesthetically they have delivered, but does the laptop itself live up to its big billing and lofty price tag, or is this model all design and no substance? This Dell XPS 13 (2015) review will clear up any doubts you may have.

In terms of performance, there is plenty to like about the XPS 13. With an Intel Broadwell 2.2GHz Core i5-5200U processor and 8GB of RAM, the ultrabook is speedy and easily able to run multiple operations at once. The Broadwell is part of the new range of Intel processors, and testing has shown that it outperforms its predecessors, if only marginally, making the upgrade worth it. The laptop also comes with 230GB of storage.

The integrated Intel graphics card on the XPS 13 is a slight let down, but seasoned gamers would likely look elsewhere for a laptop – in fact, they probably wouldn’t go in search of an ultrabook at all – as Intel have always fallen short of their rivals in this area. For the typical user, the graphics card is more than capable for day-to-day use, and should be able to handle older games comfortably enough. The battery life is also impressive, and the XPS 13 outperforms many ultrabooks of its ilk in this department. Neatly, the percentage of battery life remaining can be displayed with five LED lights on the side of the device.

One of the biggest selling points of the XPS 13 its screen. Dell have gone for a borderless look which pays off. The screen really accentuates colors which makes it great for playing videos and games. Two types of screen are available for purchase: the 1920x1080p resolution is the standard screen but this can be upgraded to a 3200x1800p screen which also comes with touchscreen capability. For a laptop of its size, the upgraded screen on the XPS 13 really impresses and trumps many of its competitors.

Frustratingly, the XPS 13 does not come with a HDMI port, and therefore cannot directly be plugged into a monitor. Therefore, you will need to purchase a converter if you wish to do this. There isn’t an Ethernet port either, although considering the availability of Wi-Fi nowadays this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Again, like with the HDMI situation, you can buy a converter if you need access to Ethernet. The XPS 13 does, however, have two USB 3.0 ports and a slot for SD cards.

As with all laptops nowadays, the XPS 13 comes with a webcam, although the fact it is off-center (the webcam is located near the bottom left of the bezel) is not beneficial, and if you plan on using it regularly, this may quickly become a nuisance. Ultimately, it depends on whether you are bothered about the angle – you will be seen by others on an upward angle, as opposed to a more traditional downwards angle.

The touchpad has also come in for criticism with some suggesting that the cursor has a tendency to go awry due to its extreme sensitivity. However, thanks to the touchpad settings on the computer, the effects of this can be reduced easily. Meanwhile, the audio on the XPS 13 is average – the speakers are not amazing but at the same time they aren’t a deal breaker.

The appeal of ultrabooks is that they are easy to take out and about and the XPS 13 is no different. With a height of just 0.6 inches, and a width and length of 11.98 and 7.88 inches respectively, this laptop can fit into pretty much any bag comfortably. In addition, the XPS 13 is incredibly light and weighs just 2.6 pounds.

The XPS 13 (2015) stands out amongst the crowd, and this ultrabook is one of Dell’s best products of the year. The screen excels and the performance is great. The downsides (lack of HDMI and Ethernet ports, off-center webcam, average graphics card) are not huge issues. The XPS 13 may not grab the headlines like a MacBook might, but you are unlikely to be disappointed if you choose to purchase it.

When it comes to budget laptops, compromising performance for price can be risky and ultimately a costly decision in the long run. The Asus EeeBook X205TA is so cheap that it brings those concerns. But is it so cheap that it’s worth avoiding, or do Asus buck the trend and produce a model that gives customers great performance as well as good value for money. This Asus EeeBook X205TA review will address the questions you may have, and point out the pros and cons of this model.

The Asus EeeBook X205TA is a netbook which runs on the Windows 8.1 operating system and it looks to deliver the best possible Windows experience its specifications will allow. For its price – the EeeBook retails below $200 – the performance of the laptop is admirable. Equipped with a 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor and 2GB of RAM, the netbook can cope with running multiple small-scale operations. These types of products are tailored for students or those looking for a work computer and therefore while a 32GB hard drive may seem tiny, it is still easily big enough to hold tens of thousands of files. In addition, the sort of operations that would most regularly be carried out on a netbook (word processing, internet browsing) do not require masses of power, hence, the processor is not as inferior as it may appear at first glance.

Perhaps the X205TA’s biggest selling point is its tremendous battery life. Testing indicated that the device could last for up to 12 hours of continuous use – far longer than any of its competitors, and four hours longer than the netbook average. The speakers have a high maximum volume for a netbook too. A further workout indicated that the Asus EeeBook X205TA doesn’t overheat either, and could play videos for an extended period of time without rising much above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/asus-eeebook-x205ta).

Asus haven’t tried to do too much with the design, and that isn’t such a bad thing. The minimalist look works well, and the dark blue color helps to produce a professional look. However, one major criticism is that the Asus EeeBook X205TA can quickly begin to look dirty because of the fingerprint marks that it leaves. The webcam can also appear grainy too and only offers a 420p resolution, which is below par and possibly undesirable if you want to use the netbook for business calls.

Most people will be looking to do a lot of typing with their netbook so having a well laid out keyboard is important. The EeeBook performs well in this department and allows for quick typing once one gets used to the tight layout. But the touchpad has drawn complaints (http://www.computershopper.com/laptops/reviews/asus-eeebook-x205ta) with some suggesting that the fingerprint scrolling system doesn’t often work well.

The Asus EeeBook X205TA has an 11.6 inch screen which has a 1366 x 768 resolution. It has an Intel HD graphics card which handles videos easily and manages to run games better than some netbooks, although as expected it comes up short with games which demand high specifications. Attached is a headphone jack, a micro HDMI port, two USB 2.0 ports and a slot for a microSD card, which is ideal if you are looking to increase the storage. This netbook excels with its dimensions and weight. It is a nifty netbook which is perfect for taking around with you. The computer has a 0.6 inches high, 11.2 inches wide and 7.6 inches long. Combined with a weight of just 2.16 pounds, you won’t even know that it’s in your bag. It’s also noticeably lighter than some of the other netbooks around.

Companies are focussing a lot on the budget netbook market nowadays and as a result there is a lot of choice in the market. The Asus EeeBook X205TA compares well to those it is up against, and does not disappoint for its price. While not the fastest netbook, it isn’t slow either and the model trumps all of its rival with the massive battery life. This product isn’t going to be on your radar if you’re looking for a traditional powerful laptop, but it’s an ideal device for those who need a device to carry out work. Asus have fulfilled that objective well and have come up with one of the better netbooks of 2015.

How do you make something damn near perfect even better? Try adding a groundbreaking Force Touch trackpad, increased battery life and the newest Intel processors. This is what Apple has done to their 2015 version of the Macbook Pro 13 inch laptop. As Trusted Reviews noted “it combines uncompromised processing power, great battery life and a top-drawer screen in a body that’s genuinely portable. It makes the MacBook Air look kind of pointless and sets a very high bar for rivals to match. Even after three years the Macbook Pro design still manages to give off an aura of minimalist futurism. Using full power processors instead of low-voltage ones, this newest laptop is not a slim as other current generation laptop, but what it loses in overall portability it more than makes up for in performance.

Use the Force Touch

A feature exclusive to this 2015 13-inch MacBook Pro and the 12-inch MacBook, the new Force Touch trackpad is the main improvement of Apple’s laptop workhorse. . Replacing standard click triggers with multiple force sensors in conjunction with an electromagnet, Force Touch pad detects how intensely you push down, revealing more menu options as a result. Apple refers to this as a “Force Click”. This works on all parts of the new trackpad, not just the center. Any time of click strength from light, medium to heavy is registered and adds more precision to this graphical user interface. The harder you press, the faster it seeks from 6x to 20x. Force Clicking on a word also brings up a dictionary definition, and Force click on a link can bring up a preview of it or even cause a map to pop up in response. Though these features are not groundbreaking, they do help the Macbook Pro distinguish itself from other laptop models trying to innovate in this arena.

Display Improvements

There’s a reason Apple includes the words “with Retina Display” in the names of their products. Even though Windows has drastically improved the display capabilities of its operating systems, Apple still handles the 2,560 x 1,600 resolution better than anyone else. Contrast is excellent, the darker hues project deeply and the screen shows the richest, most accurate images possible on any laptop. Even with a non-matte screen reflections are not an issue from any viewing angle. This is true even when the screen isn’t at its brightest.
Even though there is really only a 5{f447e3ba84e224c28a6dd1d335ad9c602d86644eb36c6c2e50c7b50bed35fc8a} bump in processing power in comparison to last year’s version of this laptop, it’s processing power is buttressed with up to 2x faster flash storage. Apple claims the sequential read and write speeds have been improved to 1.6GB/s and 1.5GB/s, even though these are mainly theoretical projections. This is especially useful for those who do a lot of video and photo editing and work with multiple related apps at one time. For hardcore gamers, this processing power is adequate when not set at the highest visual and frame-rate settings (which is true more most laptop gaming).

Battery Life

Apple’s new MacBook now claims 10 hours of constant web browsing along with 12 hours of non-stop iTunes video playback,9 hours more than last year’s model. These figures depend highly on the type of web browsers and streaming services used and how high you set the brightness levels, but they are more or less accurate. Your battery life may vary if using Netflix or other video services or use it for extended period of gaming time. It should provide up to 10 hours of constant web browsing, this is with only one tab opened and with few sites contain rich content or other added extensions. Otherwise, the 7-10 hour range is more common. So even though it’s not quite an all-day use device with battery life to match, it can tackle most 7-8 workdays with needing an additional charge if the user doesn’t go crazy with multiple apps, multiple web browser tabs and too many extensions being used simultaneously.
The Macbook Pro now has improved connectivity, with AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 coming standard on all Apple laptops. You also get two Thunderbolt 2 4K ports with the 2015 Macbook Pro, two additional USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port and a SDXC port. This makes this model infinitely more flexible and easier work work in conjunction with older generation Apple devices as well as different video and photo platforms and devices.
In conclusion, the only barriers to buying the best all around laptop available should be price and necessity. If you don’t need a laptop as powerful and capable as the 2015 Macbook Pro, there are plenty of other manufacturers that can provide adequate performance at an affordable price. They just won’t be as good as this one.

Ever since Apple’s envelope-pushing re-design of their 12-inch MacBook Pro in 2012, the main improvements added to subsequent versions of newer model computers like the Macbook Air have consisted of very little outside new Intel processors and tweaking the ports and internal memory. The main advantages of owning a Macbook Air, like the slimmer design and more affordable price, still keep this Apple workhorse in high demand. So it still matters when Apple launches the 2015 version of one of the most universally useful laptops you can buy. Starting at only $999 for the 13-inch version, the Air also has gained its dependable status thanks to its long-lasting battery life-longer than any other on the laptop market. A minor tweak of Intel’s fifth-generation Core I-series processors gives the Air a performance boost that not only increases responsiveness but extends battery life to a device that already possesses the longest available. This new CPU comes with a speed boost from Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt 2 for the data/video port. The 2015 version worked for 18 hours on a battery drain test using non-stop video. This means it’s virtually an all-day laptop even when using heavier-draining apps like Microsoft Office or your Steam Player. While a Macbook Pro or another Apple laptop may be more appropriate for IT Admins or hardcore games, the Macbook Air is the perfect laptop for the casual-to-moderate user.

Improved Features

The MacBook Air now iconic look hasn’t changed since 2010, with its smooth, aluminum outside and its modern and minimalist look. It still is heavier than the 12 inch Macbook and lighter than the Macbook Pro. It still doesn’t have a touch display and the Macbook Air still has a thicker bezel (the space between the screen and the edge) than the Macbook or Macbook Pro. This only shows how certain design aspects of the Macbook Air are becoming stale. However, other aspects of the Air design are perfect as is, including the keyboard and mouse trackpad. The newer Force Touch trackpad isn’t still not included in the Macbook air, but most users will hardly miss it. Going into the preferences menu to enable all the multitouch options make the Air’s trackpad almost as cutting edge and contemporary as the Force Touch. The back-lit keyboard is a welcome return, however, as the inclination to redesign what already works hasn’t infected Apple as it has other laptop manufacturers. The main letdown in the 2015 version in its display. With a capped resolution at 1,440×900, it’s display capability is well below the HD standard of 1,920×1,080 found on newer laptops around the same price point, even those that display 4K HD. The lack of an accompanying retina display like those found on Macbooks and Macbook Pros makes the Air seem like more of a step down if you’ve owned those other laptops before. Responding to past criticism of too few USB ports, Apple has now installed on the Air a pair of USB 3.0 ports – Thunderbolt 2 which works with HDMI or VGA and a slot for an SD card. This is unlike the newer Macbook Pros with only one USB-C port for everything, including power. Even though it’s easy to foresee this technology rolled out on future versions of all Macbooks, this seems to the be the main advantage the Air has today over Apple’s other two current-gen laptops. – more flexibility with other, older generation devices.

Better CPU, Longer Battery Life

The shift from the older Intel CPUs to this fifth-gen Intel Core i5-5250U will make a significant, if slight, difference in performance in everyday applications like Web surfing, social media, HD video playback and iTunes. The operating systems used is a better determining factor for how any given Apple product performs. OSX Mavericks is currently running faster than the latest version of OSX Yosemite, so having the 2015 Air operate on Mavericks is the best way to get more out of the newest Intel CPU. The actual reason the MacBook Air remains a vital part of laptop production is the battery life, and this is where the new and improved CPU makes its case. The 2013 13-inch Air performed for 14 hours and 25 minutes in a video playback battery drain test. The 2014 version managed 16:26 on the same kind of test. The 2015 has brought the performance up to 1,080 minutes – roughly 18 hours. Even with non-stop HD video, it lasted for about 10 hours. It’s this detail that makes the Macbook Air still one of the best Apple laptops on the market when trying to balance cost, performance and battery life.

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